Youthline Asks Kiwis To Create New Wellbeing Habits & Walk The Talk For Youth Mental Health

Aotearoa’s leading youth mental health charity Youthline is calling on the country to join in this September for its annual Walk the Talk 2025 challenge. The new revamped fundraising campaign is asking Kiwis to pick one daily wellbeing habit and stick to it for 30 days, all while raising funds for the Youthline 24/7 national Helpline.

Shae Ronald, chief executive, Youthline, says Aotearoa is currently facing a youth mental health crisis, and the need to rally together to raise funds to support young people is more important than ever.

“Youthline runs Aotearoa’s only 24/7 national helpline for rangatahi. We are experiencing more calls than ever, and many of these are from young people in crisis. We rely on donations to keep this vital service going. Each year, sustaining this becomes harder, and demand for support is rising,”

One third of calls are now from a young person at risk of harm, which includes suicide, self-harm, and experiencing abuse. Youthline is also dealing with up to three emergency interventions per day.

“We wanted to reimagine Walk the Talk to encourage Kiwis to do something good for their own wellbeing, while raising funds and showing support for rangatahi at the same time,” Ronald said.

The Youthline team is encouraging New Zealanders of all ages to walk the talk by signing up, picking one wellbeing habit that they’re going to stick to for 30 days, and getting their friends and family to sponsor them. All funds raised will go towards keeping Youthline’s 24/7 Helpline running for rangtahi across Aotearoa.

Participants can take part in daily wellbeing activities such as meditating, journaling, dancing, doing yoga, learning a new language, stretching, or it could be as simple as getting more rest.

Alternatively, participants may choose to focus their wellbeing challenge on reducing unhealthy habits.

By replacing these with positive daily practices, participants will not only raise funds to help ensure Youthline’s vital 24/7 Helpline continues to be there for rangatahi who need it most, but they’ll also be doing something positive for their own mental health.

To get involved, sponsor a friend, team up, or engage your workplace or school, visit www.walkthetalk.nz

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